Effects of valerian on the severity and systemic manifestations of dysmenorrhea

• Published in: International journal of gynecology and obstetrics Vol. 115; no. 3; pp. 285 - 288
• Main Authors: Mirabi, Parvaneh, Dolatian, Mahrokh, Mojab, Faraze, Majd, Hamid Alavi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.12.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Double-Blind Method; Dysmenorrhea - drug therapy; Dysmenorrhea - physiopathology; Female; Female genital diseases; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Herb; Humans; Medical sciences; Non tumoral diseases; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Pain; Pain Measurement; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Primary dysmenorrhea; Severity of Illness Index; Spasms; Syncope - drug therapy; Syncope - etiology; Treatment Outcome; Valerian; Valerian - chemistry; Young Adult; Primary dysmenorrhea; Valerian; Pain; Herb; Spasms; Menstruation disorders; Gynecology; Systemic; Obstetrics; Female genital diseases; Primary; Disseminated; Dysmenorrhea
• ISSN: 0020-7292; 1879-3479
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2011.06.022

Abstract Objective To evaluate the impact of valerian—a herb with sedative effects and antispasmodic effects on smooth muscles—on the severity of dysmenorrhea. Methods In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 100 students were randomly assigned to receive valerian (n = 49) or placebo (n = 51). Valerian (dose 255 mg) was given 3 times daily for 3 days beginning at the onset of menstruation, for 2 consecutive menstrual cycles. At baseline and during the intervention cycles, the pain severity was evaluated with a visual analog scale and the systemic manifestations were assessed using a multidimensional verbal scale. Results The pain severity at baseline did not differ significantly between the groups. After the intervention, the pain severity was significantly reduced in both groups ( P < 0.001), but the extent of the reduction was larger in the valerian group, with the difference between the 2 groups being statistically significant ( P < 0.05). The total scores of the systemic manifestations associated with dysmenorrhea decreased after the intervention, but there was no significant difference between the groups, with the exception for syncope ( P < 0.05). Conclusion Valerian seems to be an effective treatment for dysmenorrhea, probably because of its antispasmodic effects.